State jobless rate sees little change

Oregon's employment situation remained essentially unchanged in the first month of the new year.

Oregon's employment situation remained essentially unchanged in the first month of the new year.

The state Employment Department said today the jobless rate for January was 8.4 percent, a slight increase from December's rate of 8.3 percent.

The rate, however, is down from 9 percent at the same time last year.

The agency says the financial and manufacturing sectors added more jobs than expected in January while government and construction shed more than the normal seasonal pattern.

Preliminary estimates show the state added 4,200 jobs in January. But those estimates often change. For example, revised estimates show an increase of 1,200 jobs in December when the initial estimate had a gain of 2,000.

— Associated Press

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.